Starmer urges TNT to make Champions League final free-to-air
· BBC SportBy
Dan Roan
Sports editor
Published
Sir Keir Starmer has called on TNT Sports to make next Saturday's Champions League final between Arsenal and Paris St-Germain free-to-air.
The UK prime minister has written to the broadcaster to "strongly urge you to reconsider" a decision to make the final available to subscribers only.
Every previous final since the Champions League format was introduced to the European Cup in 1992 has been made available to watch free of charge in the UK.
In a letter to TNT executives, Starmer wrote: "I was saddened to see that, for the first time since the competition started 34 years ago, TNT Sports has decided that [the fixture] will not be free to watch for football supporters here in the UK."
Last week, it was revealed that fans would need a subscription to watch all three European club finals, to which TNT holds the rights.
Starmer - who is an Arsenal fan - wrote: "The Champions League is the biggest club football competition in the world and rightly means a lot to fans in this country - the home of football.
"I am a firm believer that the final of this competition should remain free to watch, whether Arsenal have made it or not.
"Obviously, I want as many fellow fans as possible to be able to watch our team in this historic final for the first time in 20 years. However, this is bigger than that.
"This is about supporters of all teams coming together in living rooms and pubs in every corner of the country to watch the most elite players in Europe battle it out.
"Hard-working people should not have to worry about forking out for a subscription to watch a game of this magnitude.
"We should be putting supporters first. That is why I have already encouraged Fifa to do more to make tickets more affordable at this summer's World Cup.
"That is also why I want to strongly urge you to reconsider and make the final next Saturday free to watch for the millions of passionate football fans in this country."
Fans wanting to watch Aston Villa win the Europa League final last week needed a subscription, and the same will apply to those wanting to watch the Conference League final between Crystal Palace and Rayo Vallecano on Wednesday.
In a statement, TNT Sports said: "It has been a privilege to bring Uefa club competitions to sports fans across the UK throughout the season.
"Having three Premier League clubs reach the finals shows the strength of English football and something that we are proud to continue to support.
"We have made all three Uefa finals this year available from just £4.99, the price for a month-long subscription to HBO Max that also includes the great entertainment on the service. This represents exceptional value for fans to watch the conclusion of the competitions."
- 'The first in my lifetime' - Arsenal fans rejoice after shedding 'bottlers' tag
Published
3 days ago - Arteta told of title win by crying son - while having barbecue
Published
2 days ago - Premier League winner on Tuesday, GCSEs on Thursday
Published
2 days ago
Six years ago, the previous government rejected a House of Lords select committee proposal to add the Champions League final to the list of "crown jewels" events, which would have ensured it would always be free-to-air.
The Champions League final had been free on ITV each year from 1993 - with the exception of the 1994 final, which the BBC showed live - until BT Sport won the rights, starting from 2015-16.
BT Sport continued to make it available without a subscription through to 2023, simultaneously broadcasting the game on its YouTube channel.
This changed after BT Sport was bought by Warner Bros Discovery and rebranded as TNT Sports.
While the finals remained available without cost, fans needed to sign up for a Discovery+ account to get access.
Discovery+ has been replaced by Warner Bros Discovery's new streaming service, HBO Max, which has no free option.
Fans will not need a full TNT Sports subscription, and can instead sign up for HBO Max for one month.
The cheapest subscription starts at £4.99, though most Sky customers already get HBO Max at no extra cost.
From 2027-28, TNT Sports will lose its European rights.
Paramount+ has picked up the Champions League, while the Europa League and the Conference League will move to Sky Sports.
Highlights of the Champions League final will be available on the BBC Sport website and across social media channels 15 minutes after the trophy lift, and on BBC iPlayer and television later in the evening.
Live commentary on all three finals will be on BBC Radio 5 Live.
Arsenal, who have never won the Champions League, were confirmed as Premier League champions for the first time since 2004 earlier this week.